self-assembled residence by VUILD runs on renewable solar energy at japan’s art island

by using board materials in the design, VUILD eliminates the need for cranes or heavy machinery during assembly.

VUILD edited by thomai tsimpou February 2, 2025 4 min

VUILD pioneers self-build construction with off-grid residence

Architecture studio VUILD completes Nesting Naoshima, an off-grid residence that explores self-build construction techniques. Located on the art island of Naoshima, the high-performance home serves as a secondary residence for its owner and doubles as rental accommodation to support the local economy. The project marks an innovative step toward developing a self-build model that simplifies construction without compromising on energy efficiency and sustainability, as the whole residence runs on renewable solar energy.

The foundation employs a spike frame method, a pile foundation with driven single pipes, enabling completion within just two days. Structural members, including columns and beams, are crafted from 30-millimeter-thick cedar wood, machined with a Shopbot CNC router, and pre-assembled in a factory. By designing the structure from board materials, the heaviest components remain under 20 kilograms, eliminating the need for cranes or heavy machinery during assembly.

self-assembled residence by VUILD runs on renewable solar energy at japan’s art island - 1 — all images by Tomoyuki Kusunose, courtesy of VUILD, unless stated otherwise

Nesting Naoshima’s structure reduces energy consumption

In May 2023, an open call was announced for the first owner to construct a self-built home using VUILD’s method. From over 50 applicants, one was selected to realize the Japanese team’s prototype, challenging the development of a self-build construction system for every phase of the project.

The load-bearing walls of the residence incorporate diagonal bracing, while a prefabricated curtain wall system enhances airtightness and thermal insulation. The roof flashing follows a modularized design, and the interior ceiling is structured as panels, reducing the necessity for specialized tools or expertise. These labor-saving strategies enabled the entire construction process to be completed within two months. The home achieves a thermal performance value (UA) of 0.44 W/m²K, meeting HEAT20 G2 standards to ensure high insulation and airtightness—key factors in reducing energy consumption for self-sufficient living.

Further reinforcing its off-grid capabilities, the south-facing roof integrates an 8.16kW solar array, projected to generate 9,300kWh annually. This system fully powers the residence, including small air conditioning units in the attic space, making it an energy-independent prototype for future self-built homes.

self-assembled residence by VUILD runs on renewable solar energy at japan’s art island - 2 — VUILD completes Nesting Naoshima, an off-grid residence that explores self-build construction techniques.

self-assembled residence by VUILD runs on renewable solar energy at japan’s art island - 3 — the project marks an innovative step toward developing a self-build model that simplifies construction

self-assembled residence by VUILD runs on renewable solar energy at japan’s art island - 4 — the whole residence runs on renewable solar energy

self-assembled residence by VUILD runs on renewable solar energy at japan’s art island - 5 — the load-bearing walls of the residence incorporate diagonal bracing

self-assembled-residence-vuild-renewable-solar-energy-japan-art-island-designboom-1800-02 — simplifying construction without compromising on energy efficiency

self-assembled residence by VUILD runs on renewable solar energy at japan’s art island - 6 — the south-facing roof integrates a solar array

self-assembled residence by VUILD runs on renewable solar energy at japan’s art island - 7 — structural members are crafted from 30-millimeter-thick cedar wood

self-assembled residence by VUILD runs on renewable solar energy at japan’s art island - 8 — the heaviest components remain under 20 kilograms

self-assembled-residence-vuild-renewable-solar-energy-japan-art-island-designboom-1800-03 — enhancing airtightness and thermal insulation

self-assembled residence by VUILD runs on renewable solar energy at japan’s art island - 9 — eliminating the need for cranes or heavy machinery during assembly

the load-bearing walls of the residence incorporate diagonal bracing | image by VUILD the interior ceiling is structured as panels | image by VUILD structural members are machined and pre-assembled in a factory | image by VUILD reducing the necessity for specialized tools or expertise | image by VUILD the foundation employs a spike frame method | image by VUILD a pile foundation with driven single pipes enables completion within two days | image by VUILD designing the structure from board materials challenging the development of a self-build construction system for every phase of the project an open call was announced for the first owner to construct a self-built home using VUILD’s method the roof flashing follows a modularized design labor-saving strategies enabled the entire construction process to be completed within two months reducing energy consumption for self-sufficient living section perspective by VUILD

project info:

name: Nesting Naoshima
architect: VUILD

location: Naoshima, Japan

design team: Koki Akiyoshi, Takuji Urakami, Toshiki Nishimura, Shinji Noda
structural design: yasuhirokaneda
structure lead: Yasuhiro Kaneda
environmental system planning advisor: Takase Laboratory
Tokyo University of Science lead: Kozo Takase
lighting design Advisor: TILe
lighting design lead: Taira Iwakabe

photographer: Tomoyuki Kusunose

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